Teaching Asians English

My name is Linus, an ex-secondary English school teacher, and I've been reading your blog which is full of many interesting insights about Oz and yes - Singapore. As you can imagine, I'm one of the 30% who didn't vote for the status quo.

In any case, I sat for my IELTS last month, passed it and just sent my teaching docs to be assessed by the Oz teaching board. Pending their approval (keeping fingers crossed!) which is a prerequisite to submitting an EOI, I would like to ask if there are any English teaching jobs for someone like me? I am well aware that my non-native speaking background (and perhaps skin colour) puts me at a disadvantage. Are there schools in Oz, maybe those with an Asian majority, that will give me at least a fighting chance?

Lastly, I know you reside in Perth but I'd like to ask what you think of Sydney in particular? My major concern (aside from securing the PR) is landing a job.

Thank you so much and God bless.

Linus

Hi,

Unless the native language you spoke of referred to Arrernte or Kala Lagaw Ya, I estimate at least 80% of the people here speak English, the de-facto national language of Australia. I would imagine there must be a job somewhere here for you, since the vast majority of the population use English.

You have to change your mentality.

First, how does it sound if a foreigner asked you what are his chances of getting employed as an English teacher in Singapore, reminding you he can neither speak Malay nor Singlish? If immigrants worry about such things, there will not be swarms of them in Singapore today. Few of them will even attempt if they are held back by irrelevant assumptions. If there is a vacancy and you are the best candidate who turns up, you get the job.

Second, if you suspect you will be discriminate in this country due to your skin colour, why even consider moving in the first place or take the trouble to be assessed?

Third, if you think working in a place with an Asian majority is a good idea, choose Canningvale as your first suburb (if Perth), shop only at oriental joints and watch Mediacorp through the Internet for entertainment, my advise is stay and Stand up for Singapore. If you are still going ahead and the Asian fetish is an issue, you may want to look around learning centres that offer English or IELTS courses to Asians.

I have absolutely no idea how working and living in Sydney is. You may want to buddy up with the lady earning $120k per annum in my previous post and see what information she has already gathered about the place, since she mentioned something about suburbs (prob the kind of place you may like, many Asians etc.) All I can think of at the mention of Sydney is an image of this in my mind:

"I left the door unlocked so that you can come in because I love you so much."

- Albany, 21/11/2016

Emails 2017

Hi Nix,

I came across your interesting blog and wish to ask on your honest opinion.

Do you think it's a good idea to pay 6 months worth of house rental in advanced to secure a place to stay before we go over. Our situation makes it a little difficult to look for one in Darwin with 2 dogs that we couldn't leave behind. And we don't have a job there yet. Oh, we have gotten a 489 visa. And we are intending to move somewhere in June with our 2 dogs and an almost 2 year old kid.

Appreciate your intake on this.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Elaine,

The housing market is currently quite depressed so it should not be difficult to find rental properties. I don't think it is a good idea to pay 6 months in advance at all. You shouldn't find it a problem to get one. If you face any difficulties, let me know the details and see if I can give you ideas.

Hi,

Saw your blog while searching on Singaporean based overseas and hopeful can meet a bunch of you all if i ever go over eventually.

For myself after looking at migrating or completing the process before i do not have enough points to qualify.

Basing on my current situation, it seems since my CV is leaning towards the marketing and financial field. Which in this case seems only Adelaide and Darwin is the only option for Subclass 190.

Do you know any fellow Singaporeans based in either place?

Anyway, for me is more towards wanting a more laid back life and changing the environment. Ideal situation would be to work another 10 years before settling with a small farm land in the country in Aussie. But my worry is whether i would be able to secure a job in Aussie especially with my advance in age 38?

Lastly, any good advice for a frog in the well on his migration journey to aussie?

Many thanks in advance

Regards

Stanley

Hi Stanley,

If you cannot qualify for skilled migration on points, you will not be able to work here, unless you find an employer who is willing to hire you for your skill set and apply for a work visa for you. It is unlikely in this economic climate but may be your only chance.

Dear NIx,

Good day!

I have been reading your blog and decided to migrate to Australia.

I have been researching on how to go about migrating to Australia and unfortunately, I seem to have hit a road block, thus writing this email to seek your advice on which type of visa should i apply.

I will be turning 36 next year. BE Chemical Engineering from UNSW (Stayed in Sydney for 2.5 years and graduated in 2008). Msc in Maritime Studies from NTU (Graduating in June 2017). Currently working as a Business Development Manager in the Shipping Industry. I have also attached my CV for your reference.

I am confident of getting 60 points in the Points Test BUT my current job is not on the SOL list.

My mother's cousin is a PR in Australia and she and her family are living in Perth (I do not know whether this information helps)

I was thinking of taking part time courses in ITE in Electrical Wiring, Residential Plumbing or Air Conditioning and Refrigeration since these jobs are on the SOL list.

Any advice will be really appreciated.

Regards,

Colin Soh

Dear Colin,

First thing first, I would like to know how you qualify for 60 points in the Points Test. Will you be able to provide a breakdown ?

*Please note that if your occupation is not on the SOL, you will not be able to claim points for work experience nor academic qualifications.

Hey buddy!

Was scrolling through and landed on your site. Loved the Art of Survival; plain, blunt yet simple.

I'm a local Sporean dude and just got my PR. Currently workin on contract job and planning to move down under. I realise getting a job in Oz from Spore isn't gonna be easy. Thought of giving it a try since its been just a month. Plan B is to just move and get an unpaid internship for 3 mths. Any advise?

Kind regards,

Hi dude,

To be honest, I don't have a single clue about unpaid internship or anything like that. If you manage to get one of those, I will appreciate if you can let us know the details so we can all learn from you.

I apologise for being painfully obvious but if you find it hard to find a job in Australia from Singapore, then come here and look!

Hello,

My name is Adam and I cam across your blog about migrating to Australia. I would love some advice or experience that you can share with me with regards to my questions.

First of all, I am a US bachelor grad in Mechanical Engineering and worked in the US for 2.5 years. I am a Chinese Malaysian and I'm 25 years old by March (2017). Do you have any ideas or suggestions on migrating to Australia? The subclass 189 doesn't allow me to accumulate enough points because of my work experience did not meet the requirement of 3 years which I was told that usually the Australia immigration officer pay the most attention to. If you disagree with that statement, I would like to hear your advice on that.

The other way I thought is by studying my Masters degree there and while studying, I could think of an idea to set up a business there. Didn't research much into this path but if you have experience with this path, I appreciate a lot if you are willing to share.

Thank you very much and hope to hear from you soon,

Regards,

Adam

Hi Adam,

It sounds really simple. Choose the path of least resistance. Work for 3 years to gain your 60 points then! You'll need the funds to relocate anyway.